Founded in 1870 as the Agricultural College of Colorado under the Morrill Land-Grant Act, Colorado State University is the flagship land-grant research university of Colorado, located in Fort Collins. Spanning a scenic 586-acre main campus in Northern Colorado set against the Rocky Mountain foothills, CSU combines veterinary medicine, infectious disease research, forestry, and clean energy technology. You can explore its historic charter, land-grant origins, and institutional growth through the Colorado State University Wikipedia historical entry.
When you attend CSU, you enter a vibrant public university known for environmental sustainability, collaborative research, and active outdoor recreation. Living in Fort Collins places you inside a welcoming city renowned for craft brewing, technology startups, and easy access to mountain trails.
Premier Academic Programs
CSU hosts eight degree-granting colleges holding national reputations across diverse fields:
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences: Consistently ranked among the world's top veterinary institutions, leading research in animal care, epidemiology, and oncology.
- College of Business: Top-ranked business school specializing in supply chain management, financial economics, marketing, and corporate sustainability. Explore degree options on the CSU College of Business portal.
- Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering: Delivers instruction in civil infrastructure, atmospheric engineering, computer science, and clean water technology.
- Warner College of Natural Resources: Global leader in forestry management, conservation biology, watershed science, and ecosystem management.
- College of Agricultural Sciences: Drives research in plant genomics, soil health, animal production, and agricultural economics.
"Education, Service, Research, serving as Colorado State University's guiding institutional mission statement."
Campus Culture and Mascot
Your daily student experience centers on the Oval central green, Lory Student Center, and the Trial Gardens. School spirit revolves around CAM the Ram, the beloved live Rambouillet ram mascot who represents the competitive drive of CSU Rams athletic teams in NCAA Division I Mountain West Conference sports. You can read about spirit traditions and live mascot history on the official CAM the Ram Mascot page. Cheering inside Canvas Stadium for football games, firing the Hughes cannon, and joining over 400 student clubs creates an energetic campus culture.
Research Infrastructure and Infectious Disease Science
CSU operates an extraordinary research enterprise that leads global advances in infectious disease therapeutics and atmospheric modeling:
- Infectious Disease Research Center (IDRC): High-containment research facility conducting critical studies on vector-borne viruses, vaccines, and biodefense.
- Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA): Multi-agency research center collaborating with NOAA on satellite meteorology. Learn more via CSU Research Division.
- Powerhouse Energy Campus: World-renowned clean tech research facility developing smart power grids and clean engine technologies.
Notable Alumni Legacy
You walk in the footsteps of cabinet secretaries, astronauts, corporate leaders, and Olympic champions, including:
- John Hickenlooper: U.S. Senator, former Governor of Colorado, and entrepreneur who earned his Master's degree in Geology at CSU.
- Mary L. Cleave: NASA astronaut and environmental engineer who earned her Master's and doctoral degrees in biological sciences at CSU.
- Wayne Allard: Veterinarian and former U.S. Senator who earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree at CSU.
- David Lavinsky: Renowned business executive and entrepreneur who graduated from CSU.
CSU provides full tuition support for eligible Colorado undergraduate students through the CSU tuition guarantee. Review full admission standards and application steps on the official CSU Admissions portal.